The Congo Basin, the world’s second-largest green lung after the Amazon, represents a critical ecological and economic challenge for Central Africa. Since 2022, Cameroon—a key country in the region—has been leading an Integrated Landscape Management Impact Program in coordination with five other nations (DRC, Central African Republic, Gabon, Equatorial Guinea, and Congo).
Funded by international and national partners, the project aims to balance ecosystem conservation, economic development, and social inclusion. With two years remaining, the fourth-year progress report was presented at a steering committee meeting held on August 19, 2026, in Soa.
After four years, Cameroon’s Integrated Landscape Management Impact Program has reached 66% implementation, spanning a six-year timeline (2022–2028). Key achievements include: 1.19 million hectares of protected areas with enhanced management effectiveness; over 40,000 direct beneficiaries—nearly 50% of them women—through capacity-building and economic empowerment initiatives; 34 hectares of degraded land restored, with 16,000 trees planted, including 4,300 ebony saplings and 11,700 fruit trees; over 220 million FCFA generated from the sale of Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFPs); and a significant reduction in poaching, alongside stable populations of large and medium-sized mammals in national parks.
Cameroon’s progress in managing the Congo Basin forests demonstrates significant advancement, though persistent challenges remain. With 66% implementation, the country has shown its ability to mobilize resources and execute concrete actions despite logistical and financial constraints inherent in a project of this scale.
The integrated approach—combining conservation, restoration, and community development—stands out as particularly effective. It addresses a dual imperative: preserving a vital global ecosystem while improving local livelihoods. The active participation of women (nearly 50% of beneficiaries) sends a strong signal for social inclusion, a critical factor in the sustainability of environmental projects across Africa.
However, the program still faces major hurdles, particularly in governance and funding. Coordination with other Congo Basin countries remains complex, requiring harmonized policies and practices. Additionally, ongoing pressure on forest resources—driven by illegal activities and climate change—demands constant vigilance.
For Cameroon, these advances reinforce its position as a regional leader in sustainable forest management. The results could serve as a model for other African nations facing similar challenges. Economically, the valorization of Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFPs) offers new opportunities for local communities while reducing reliance on destructive activities like illegal logging.
At a continental level, the program’s success could inspire similar initiatives in other regions, particularly West Africa, where deforestation and land degradation are growing concerns. However, the long-term viability of these efforts will depend on governments’ ability to secure sustainable funding and further engage local populations in natural resource management.
With two years left, Cameroon’s Integrated Landscape Management Impact Program proves that African-led solutions to environmental challenges are possible. While the results are promising, they also underscore that preserving forest ecosystems is a long-term endeavor requiring strengthened cooperation among governments, communities, and international partners. The next step is to consolidate these gains and turn them into a driver of sustainable development for Cameroon and Africa.
